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Got ready to replace all disks and pads today but then realised I'd ordered rear discs from a 3.0i. Oops. So thought I'd spend the precious daylight hours fitting a piano black dash instead. I had a spare aluminium set coated a few months ago but never found time over the summer to do the switch - too busy just driving it.

Used this guide and this one, so thanks to christurbo and shawna. I took a few shortcuts - didn't fully remove the gearknob, radio or handbrake handle. Removing the centre console and dash was still possible with some careful manoeuvring:



Also took the opportunity to have a big clean and it was at this point that I found these two french fries behind the passenger seat:



Top tip would be to use one of these:



Because of the number of torx screws holding the centre console trim on:



Why didn't BMW use a few more of these for all the other rattly bits?!

Think I found a ninja trick to get the knee pads off quickly. Undo the large screw holding the middle of trim to the sides of the transmission tunnel and stick a pebble (or any small object, really) up under the trim and behind the end of the knee pad:



Press the trim next to where you shoved the thingy - very, very hard - and the knee pad pops out.

It took all afternoon and I ran out of light - just like every other mod I have done in winter; it's a tradition. So here are some not-very-useful before and after photos [EDIT - added a daylight pic!]:





Pretty happy with that. Tomorrow morning I'll be able to see if it's scratched to f*ck already.

What a difference!! Looks so clean, so classy!

A long days work, difficult to see in the poor light. Are you going to do the door handles to match?

I really like Piano Black, good job

Lovely work!

Does look a lot better!

Get the Roll hoops and door handles finished in piano black

Anything is better than the brushed aluminium.

Looks good

ranski wrote:Get the Roll hoops and door handles finished in piano black

Thinking about it. How are yours holding up? Went with your recommendation, actually - Wicked Coatings - for the dash and they've done a great job, but it's lacquered, not hydrodipped. I'm guessing the plastic bits would have to be dipped.

What a transformation, good job

Very Nice...

Darren Slone wrote:I really like Piano Black, good job

+1
Looks fantastic

-Tom- wrote:What a difference!! Looks so clean, so classy!

+1

Good work,

I want my upper section done along with my door pull handles, maybe a project for next year.

Amazing transformation!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?

Thanks for all the comments. Don't know what it is about the aluminum - everybody likes it except Z4 owners!

ben g wrote:If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?

£135, inc surface prep and delivery. It's a decent finish - some very light orange peel on a couple of edges, but the main surfaces are excellent. Not sure how well it will hold up, but the OEM finish isn't exactly bullet proof so I don't mind too much if it gets a little scratched.